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You know how when you were young, and the night before Christmas morning seemed to drag on forever. That’s what it felt like waiting breathlessly for Jason Akermanis to tell us what he thinks about Adam Goodes. Chris Graham explains.

The "party that represents environmental protection" has given some details about how it will achieve ambitious new goals for renewable energy generation and left nuclear policy untouched. Thom Mitchell reports.

The lessons from a Dutch case which saw citizens successfully sue their government over its climate change policy will be explored at a number of public forums around the country this week. Thom Mitchell reports.

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If we can't recruit 1500 paid supporters by the end of September we'll have to shut down in 2012. To give you an eerie premonition of our demise we're now paywalling new articles by popular authors

So what would an internet without New Matilda be like? Something like this: for the rest of this month we're going to paywall new articles by Ben Eltham and Ben Pobjie. You'll still be able to access their back catalogue, but only paid up NM supporters will be able to read their latest articles. You'll miss out on reading Ben Eltham's take on the ALP's move to amend the Migration Act today, and you'll miss Ben Pobjie's latest later this week. Sounds ghastly, doesn't it?

When you support New Matilda you are also supporting New Matilda writers. Since launching in 2004 we've published over 1000 Australian writers. We've introduced new writers to our readership and we've fostered emerging writers who've gone on to make a splash across the media.

We need 1500 paid supporters to continue bringing you independent news and analysis, and to continue our support of the Australian writers who craft it. So far, we've got 338 supporters for 2012. Only 171 of our original donors have signed up again. We need those readers who supported us in 2011 to get on board again in 2012. And new readers — this is the time to support the website you've been reading all year. It costs as little as AU$4.60 a month.

This user is a New Matilda supporter.marnicPosted Tuesday, September 13, 2011 - 13:47

Hi indigopepper,

The other option is to send us a cheque made out to Cordell Media and sent to Locked Bag 2000/152 Surry Hills 2010, or transfer money directly into our account (Acc name: Cordell Media, BSB: 062033 Acc No:1044 8257) although supporters who donate this way will not be automatically registered with the site as paid supporters, with all the privileges that entails. If you chose to pay using one of these options, please let us know, along with your full name, postal address and preferred email by emailing us at enquiriesATnewmatilda.com.

Hello Dears One and All
Respectfully, I suggest NewMatilda is eminently worthy. Lately I made a debut with Pozible, supporting a project. This surprised me because it felt such fun to g i v e m o n e y a w a y. Being a scot, I can tell you this is remarkable. Anyway casting the net there, too, might be suitably lucrative.

I don't like to be the bearer of sad news, but I'm afraid NM is a shot duck. With a renewal rate of around 10% what chance have you got - not much I'm afraid

And media diversity is not trotting out the same old leftie, 'progressive' line that is NM - lots of other media share the same space .

What about some real diversity of views. Why don't you publish someone who argues that border protection is something that most Australians take seriously or an article explaining how Vietnam has flourished since it has gotten rid of its command economy

To Redact - Does anybody else provide an open general forum for Aussie analysis like NM?

If they do, that's great, but you don't have to be negative about NM. I am an old leftie from way back, but I don't see NM as just leftie stuff - it's the logic and strength of the analysis which counts, not the labels which readers want to put on. Isn't it?

Only the brave and selfless Murdoch Press stands between
us and some kind of disgusting social armageddon, in which people think and care about the well-being of other people instead of focussing on the really important things...

It should be quite easy and very cheap to create a phpbb based member area to allow sustained discussions for members and journalists to interact, which may add some value to the "below the line" discussions and provide a little extra.

I don't know how serious you are that things will fold if 1500 don't sign up, but you could have a monthly fundraiser bar like the church hall repairs. I would be happy to chip in a bit extra for a couple of months to help out in the short term while numbers build up. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Maybe you could also look to the old demon advertising for a little bit extra too. You've got good web exposure and maybe some of the Unis and colleges or other non-independence compromising types could chip in the odd $300-$500 a month for a small ad and no expectation of editorial influence.

It really wouldn't take many advertisers to help you reach the kind of target you need.

I'm sure the subscriber numbers will build over time if readers are aware of the need. Especially if you create some incentives like a discussion/chat area which is members only, or anything else which seems easy and viable.

Redact, could I suggest you go back to reading the Australian and the Daily Telegraph. They would better suit your interests and leanings.

Your comment above, while N.M. is in crisis mode, are not helpful and demonstrate you have no real interest in N.M. surviving.

Perhaps you would prefer N.M. to feature articles about the following (list also posted on another thread):

<i>- How to make the rich richer.

- How to punish the homeless and the unemployed.

- How to get closer to the world’s greatest warmonger and people killer (the U.S.).

- How to help the rich who pay little tax to pay no tax.

- How to get Australia to build a bigger army and start invading and occupying.

- How to send refugees to the gas ovens.

- How to destroy Unions.

- How to pour more money into Private Schools, etc.

- How best to support a ‘peace-seeking’ nation (or nations) which routinely use cluster bombs, depleted uranium explosives, land mines, napalm, phosphorous shells, drones, torture, rendition, imprisonment without trial and other such barbarities.

And as for you redact - Your life must be truly scary if you have to come onto a site which you clearly dislike so much, just to post that. We surely must stop the commies! Let's scrap medicare, schools and public transport, abolish all taxes and commit genocide on all refugees!

Not exactly a strong argument to counter a request for more 'diversity' is it. Note that NM claims to offer a diversity of views - none as far as I can see. They occupy the same space as Crikey.

And David G your comments never fail not to surprise. On any imaginable topic it is always the evil USofA's fault. Here's an idea - stand for parliament with your dangerous creation ideas - test them in the market place of ideas.

re redact - i think NM does have to be careful about falling into a patterned 'progressive' position - i think it could benefit from digging deeper on some issues by the same token I think NM is more informative and has more nuisance in particular articles than many mainstream publications. But wait i'm talking to a troll - damn i'm always getting suckered - your not part of NM trying to cook up comment are you? - with crikey? - or .... for real... no I can't believe it ... isn't there a quadrant discussion group... recently retired unsuccessful minor liberal staffer group therapy session for you? - your pathology is difficult to fathom.... wait I got it... you just love dishing out ****. Well done you are an important part of the vast senseless simple minded circus that passes for democracy.

In last year's fundraising you gave open and frank accounts of your plans. This included a "business model will in fact have more in common with a public radio station than a subscription-based website." For me, I was happy to donate to an online news site that was open and accessible. I am less keen to subscribe to content that is not also open to people who haven't or can't donate. I don't want prizes or perks, I want a good news site that everyone can access. If your model is to change, I think you owe it to your - what? Donors? Subscribers? Whatever we are - to explain what, why and how you intend to run and what is your rationale.

Thanks,

Hannah

Here's what you said last year:

"Since we announced our relaunch as a user-pays site, a number of people have asked if we will be paywalling content. The answer, at least in the short term, is no.

We’ve made this decision because we want our stories to have a life beyond our corner of the internet and, more importantly, because we can’t afford to limit our audience to people who already know they like us. We have a strong following of loyal readers but we need to grow — now is the time to tell your friends why you think NM is required reading.

So while we’ll be asking you to become financial supporters, our business model will in fact have more in common with a public radio station than a subscription-based website."

This user is a New Matilda supporter.marnicPosted Thursday, September 15, 2011 - 12:13

Hi Hannah,

Thanks for your comment. Our business model remains the same - just like a public radio station, we rely on our audience to survive. We don't intend to use the paywall often at all, and we remain committed to NM being a freely accessible website. We have used it this week to make the point that we really won't exist next year if we can't get enough people on board. We are very close to folding right now, and without enough paid-up supporters NM will soon be accessible to no-one at all.

That said, we think we owe the occasional "perk" to our paid-up supporters, and (just like supporters of a public radio station) sometimes they will get things (prizes, privileged access to certain content) that our other readers won't. This is not only an inducement to support us but also a way of saying thanks to those who do. We really do appreciate it.

So sad to hear about this. But, anyway, I am happy now that the problem has been solved, and the site is still active and getting better, providing us with relevant news and information. - Integrity Spas